what to expect from sat.t.v.card?

[peter in the bus]

Hi, everyone. This is a very useful forum!
I am thinking of purchasing a USB Satellite TV "card" to work with my laptop. (probably Hauppauge). What can I expect to be able to receive with this device? FTA only - or is there some means of decoding scrambled channels? I understand this depends on what size dish and where it is pointed, but if i know i can decode scrambled channels then it will influence what peripherals to get.
Any info greatly appreciated.

 

[rolfw]

As you are using a laptop, probably best to go for the Skystar2 USB, then you can use either ProgDVB, or MyTheatre, they can utilise the available softcams.

Have a read through the PC Card Systems Forum, you will see what that combination can produce.